PEI is home to some of the best beaches in Canada, and many of them are perfect for kids.
Boasting both red and white sand, as well as dunes and sandstone cliffs, this island province has over 800km of beaches.
But with so many to choose from, which are the best beaches in PEI for families?
After driving each of the three coastal drives and stopping at numerous beaches (and lighthouses!), we can honestly say that we’ve come across some fantastic beaches in PEI.
So we’ve rounded up the best beaches in PEI for families, no matter which area of the province you are staying in.
We’ve tried to include some of the more well-known beaches, as well as some quieter beaches on the island, that are just as lovely, if not better than the more popular ones.
No matter what type of beach you’re looking for, you’re sure to find a perfect one to spend a day (or more!) with your family on PEI.
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11 Best Beaches in PEI for Families
Cavendish Beach
Why Visit: PEI’s most famous beach
Location: Green Gables Shore | Google Maps
Cost: National Park Entrance fee is required, $8.50 adults, children under 18 are free
Parking: Plenty of parking, included in the entrance fee
Dogs: Not permitted on the beach
Supervised: Lifeguards are on duty from the beginning of July to the end of August
Arguably one of the most famous beaches on PEI, Cavendish Beach is a perfect beach for families. And with miles of white sand and red sandstone cliffs, it’s absolutely stunning.
Located in Prince Edward Island National Park, there are also plenty of activities to do if you’re not up for relaxing on the beach all day. Walking trails can be found throughout the park or join in one of the park’s activities, like how to make cool sandcastles!
Cavendish Beach is wheelchair accessible and beach wheelchairs can be booked through the Visitor Centre.
The beach is also equipped with public washrooms, changing rooms and showers. And if you get hungry, there are several restaurants and fast food options in nearby Cavendish.
Since Cavendish Beach it is one of the most popular PEI beaches for families, it does get busy! If you’re looking for a quieter, but just as lovely beach, keep reading our recommendations below.
Basin Head
Why Visit: Experience the “Singing Sands”
Location: Points East Coastal Drive | Google Maps
Cost: Free
Parking: Plenty of parking
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Supervised: Lifeguards are on duty from the end of June to the beginning of September
Basin Head Provincial Park is a beautiful beach, located along the Points East Coastal drive on the eastern side of PEI.
Well-known for it’s “Singing Sands”, this beach has sand with a high silica content so it actually ‘sings’ when it’s stepped on. To be honest though, it’s more like a squeaking sound, but singing sounds much better!
The sand squeaks best when it’s sunny, and it may take a few tries to hear the sound, but believe me, it does make an interesting sound!
There’s a narrow channel of water, called ‘the run’ by locals, which divides the beach and runs to an inland pond. While there are signs saying no jumping off the bridge, you’ll see plenty of kids taking that leap (and plenty of parents standing by to video it).
Be sure to check tide conditions first, as the water in the channel can be fast moving but there is a lifeguard posted at the channel (during the summer months) to keep swimmers safe.
You’ll also find changing facilities, washrooms, boardwalk shops and an ice cream shop near the beach. A beach mat gives access from the wharf, floating wheelchair is available when surf conditions permit.
As you are on PEI, it can be windy at Basin Head Beach.
The first time we visited, it was so windy I tried to get a video of the sand making noise, but you couldn’t hear anything over the wind! The second time it was less windy, so you can hear it a bit better. Check out the singing sands here.
Panmure Island Beach
Why visit: One of the best beaches in PEI for swimming
Location: Points East Coastal Drive | Google Maps
Cost: Free
Parking: Plenty of parking in the parking lot. Many people also park along the road further along the beach, but it’s not permitted to walk on the dunes so please park in the parking lot
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Supervised: Lifeguards are on duty from the beginning of July to the end of August
Panmure Island is not as well-known as some of the others, but it’s definitely one of the best PEI beaches for families.
A long white sandy beach with sand dunes and ocean views, it’s actually located on a causeway, so you’ll find water and beach on both side.
Walk along the beach or play in the water and relax on the sand. The water is shallow and fairly calm and it’s one of the best beaches in PEI for swimming. You’ll see plenty of young kids playing in the shallow water.
It’s also a great place to find shells, ocean creatures and maybe even some sea glass.
Change rooms are available, as well as showers and flush toilets. There’s also a kiosk selling snacks and ice cream.
At the end of the causeway is Panmure Island, which is home the oldest wooden lighthouse on the island. You can’t go inside, but it’s definitely worth a look.
Thunder Cove Beach
Why Visit: See the unique Tea Cup Rock Formation
Location: Green Gables Shore | Google Maps
Cost: Free
Parking: Parking is a bit tricky – follow google maps to get to the beach and then find a spot along the road. If you are visiting in the summer, the beach does get busy and you may have to park a bit of a walk from the entrance to the beach.
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Supervised: Lifeguards are on duty from the beginning of July to the end of August
While most of the PEI beaches on the north shore are known for rolling dunes and fine sand, Thunder Cove Beach is very different.
With sandstone cliffs, cave formations and sea stacks similar to those seen at Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick or along the Minas Basin in Nova Scotia, Thunder Cove is one of the must-see PEI beaches for families.
There’s plenty of white sand, and the water is fairly calm and shallow so bring a beach blanket and plan to spend the day!
When you need a break from relaxing on the beach, take a walk down to the west end of the beach. Here you’ll find cave formations and a little further around the point is where the famous Teacup Rock was. Sadly, Teacup Rock did not survive the waves from Hurricane Fiona in 2022.
As Thunder Cove Beach isn’t a provincial or national park, there are no washroom facilities, changing areas or snack kiosks. You’ll want to bring everything you need with you for the day.
Greenwich Beach
Why Visit: The largest sand dunes on the island
Location: Green Gables Shore | Google Maps
Cost: National Park Entrance fee is required, $8.50 Adult, children under 18 are free
Parking: Plenty of parking, included in entrance fee
Dogs: Not allowed on the beach
Supervised: Lifeguards are on duty from the beginning of July to the end of August
Part of PEI National Park , Greenwich Beach has the largest sand dunes on the island. It’s a quieter beach with soft white sand and a supervised swimming area in the summer months. Change rooms and washroom facilities are available.
And while the beach is stunning, Greenwich is also known for its’ floating boardwalk that leads through the marsh to the dunes and another beach. It’s an easy walk and one that’s worth taking!
Dogs are allowed on the trails, but not on the beach.
Chelton Beach
Why Visit: Warm waters and plenty of tide pools to explore when the tide is out
Location: Red Sands Shore | Google Maps
Cost: Free
Parking: Plenty of parking
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Supervised: No
Chelton Beach Provincial Park boasts a beautiful red sand beach along the south shore of Prince Edward Island. The waves here are small, making it one of the best PEI beaches for families.
It’s also the closest provincial park to the Confederation Bridge, which you can see from the beach. It’s a 15 minute drive to the Confederation Bridge and makes a great stop when you arrive on the island or just before you leave.
Chelton Beach is also perfect place for kids to explore, especially when the tide is out. There’s lots of crabs, including hermit crabs to see in the tide pools and like many of the beaches on the south shore, the sand is red and the water is warmer than the beaches on other coasts.
While there aren’t rental facilities here and we didn’t bring our paddle board on our PEI road trip, this would be a fantastic beach to get out and SUP or to go kayaking.
Brackley Beach
Why Visit: Sand dunes and clear water
Location: Green Gables Shore | Google Maps
Cost: National Park Entrance fee is required, $8.50 Adult, children under 18 are free
Parking: Plenty of parking, included in entrance fee
Dogs: Not allowed on the beach
Supervised: Lifeguards are on duty from the beginning of July to the end of August
Brackley Beach is another of the most popular beaches in Prince Edward Island.
The sand is soft and white, and the water is clear and warm. It’s a beautiful beach that’s perfect for swimming, sunbathing, walking and exploring.
Located in the National Park, Brackley Beach has washroom and change room facilities, a small canteen and plenty of parking.
The beach is accessible with mobility mats and beach wheelchairs are available.
West Point Beach
Why Visit: Beautiful red sandy beach beside the West Point Lighthouse
Location: North Cape Coastal Drive | Google Maps
Cost: Free
Parking: Plenty of parking beside the lighthouse or in the provincial park
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Supervised: Yes
With a beach that stretches for miles, West Point Beach, also called Cedar Dunes Beach is another popular beach on Prince Edward Island.
It’s a deep red sand beach, with small dunes and boasts the warm waters of the Northumberland Strait.
West Point Beach is a great spot for finding seaglass and the sunsets here are stunning!
The West Point Lighthouse, which is one of the most stunning lighthouses on the island, is right beside the beach and makes for some good photo ops.
This black & white lighthouse is an interesting change from the red & white lighthouses that you’ll find around the rest of the island and one of the top stops on the North Cape Coastal Drive.
The beach is in Cedar Dunes Provincial Park and is supervised during the summer months.
Jacques Cartier Provincial Park
Why Visit: Panoramic views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and shallow water
Location: North Cape Coastal Drive | Google Maps
Cost: Free
Parking: Parking is available in the provincial park
Dogs: Allowed on leash.
Supervised: Lifeguards are on duty from the end of June until the end of August
Named for Jacques Cartier, who came ashore to this area in 1534 as the Island’s first European visitor, this beautiful provincial park offers a red sand beach and panoramic views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
While the beach isn’t as large as some of the more popular beaches on PEI, it’s also not as busy, which along with the red sand and shallow water, makes this one of the best PEI beaches for families.
The beach is supervised in the summer, and there are washroom facilities, showers and a playground for kids, as well as both serviced and unserviced sites that are as close to the water as you can get!
North Rustico
Why Visit: White sand beach with red sandstone cliffs
Location: Green Gables Shore | Google Maps
Cost: While North Rustico beach is in the National Park, there is no entrance fee
Parking: Available at either the east or west
Dogs: Not allowed on the beach
Supervised: No
Another beach in Prince Edward Island National Park, North Rustico is a beautiful white sand beach with red sandstone cliffs.
It’s a little quieter than the other beaches in the National Park (which we think makes it one of the best beaches in Prince Edward Island National Park!) and the water is clear and shallow, making it a great spot for families with young kids.
It’s a great spot to swim, walk, make sandcastles or just relax on the beach. Washrooms are available, and the park entrance fee does apply.
It’s also a perfect spot for watching the fishing boats return to North Rustico Harbour or watching the sunset over the water.
Tip: Be sure to stop at Blue Mussel Cafe in North Rustico for some of the best seafood you’ll ever eat!
Green’s Shore Beach
Why Visit: Quiet beach with plenty of tide pools
Location: Summerside | Google Maps
Cost: Free
Parking: Plenty of parking along the street or in the parking lot at the Shipyard Market
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Supervised: Lifeguards are on duty from the beginning of July to the end of August
Not to be confused with the beaches on Green Gables shore, Green’s Shore Beach is right in Summerside. There’s 600 metres of shoreline and a boardwalk trail that follows the shoreline.
Walk along the beach and collect sea glass, explore the tide pools or relax on the beach and build sandcastles.
When the tide is out, it’s a great spot to find sea creatures – although it’s best to leave them where they are found.
There are picnic tables and benches, so bring a snack or a lunch and stay for a while. Washrooms are also available and lifeguards are on duty during the summer months.
When you need a break from the beach, take a walk into Summerside, explore Spinnaker’s Landing and pick up a PEI Dirt Shirt – perfect for your kids to wear while exploring the red sand beaches of PEI!
Tips for Visiting these Great PEI Beaches for Families:
- Check surf conditions before going in the water. Supervised beaches will have surf conditions posted in the summer months, but outside of the summer months and for all unsupervised beaches, it’s important to check the surf conditions yourself. Find up to date beach reports for provincial parks here.
- As with any beach, keep an eye on children in the water.
- Be sun safe. Sunscreen, rash guards, or other UV protecting clothing is advised. Wear a hat and bring a beach umbrella.
- Use of inflatables is not recommended, and on some beaches, isn’t permitted.
- Stay hydrated – you may be near the water, but you still need to drink plenty of water!
- Supervised beaches will have red and yellow flags to indicated the supervised swimming areas; this is the area that is supervised.
- Many of PEI’s beaches have red sand. This is due to the high iron content, which turns red when exposed to air and is interesting to see but it will stain clothing – especially white! (See the PEI dirt shirt we mentioned above, that is basically a white shirt washed in PEI dirt!)
There are lots of great beaches for families in PEI and these are just a few of our favourites. What are your favourite PEI beaches for families? Let us know in the comments below!
Thanks for the great info! A quick question about the North Rustico and Green’s Shore beaches – do either of them have washrooms or change room facilities? Thanks!
Yes! Both beaches have washrooms, but unfortunately no change facilities.